The bad conscience

Vladimir Jankélévitch was one of the most distinctive voices in twentieth-century philosophy. In 'The bad conscience', published in 1933 and subsequently revised and expanded, Jankélévitch lays the foundations for his later work, Forgiveness, grappling with the conditions that give rise to the moral awareness without which forgiveness would make no sense. Remorse, or "the bad conscience, " arises from the realization that the acts one has committed become irrevocable. This realization, in turn, gives rise to an awareness of moral virtues and values, as well as freedom and the responsibilities…